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"He has a lot of tools," Hank Hughes, the Huskies' assistant head coach for defense, said of Witten. "It remains to be seen exactly what's going to happen when the lights go on and it's his time to step up and be a full-time guy."

The younger brother of former Ohio State star and current Buffalo Bills safety Donte Whitner, Witten will have to lean on more than bloodline alone to realize the expectations the Huskies have for him this season.

"We need Lindsey to have a good year for us," Edsall said. "If Lindsey wants to do something after this year is over, then he's got to show he can be a consistent, every-down player."

With a freshman certain to start at one defensive end -- Trevardo Williams, Jesse Joseph and A.J. Portee are in the mix -- the Huskies can at least take comfort in the fact that there is a talented veteran lined up on the other side.

Much like his rookie teammates have been this season, Witten was forced into service early in his collegiate career and has been a regular on UConn's defensive line since he arrived on campus in 2006. He played in all of the Huskies' 12 games as a freshman that first season in Storrs and made six starts.

"The first game I started was against West Virginia. That was pretty fast paced," Witten said. "I had to learn pretty quick."

He seemingly did, using his long arms and fast feet to make up for what he initially lacked in size and strength.

"I tell those guys that they weigh 20 more pounds than I did so they should have it much easier than I did when I came in weighing 205," Witten joked of his freshman counterparts. "Jesse's around 230 or 240. Trevardo's like 225."

Playing mostly in a reserve role as a sophomore and junior behind the likes of Cody Brown and Julius Williams, Witten still was a significant pass-rushing threat. He recorded five sacks last season, giving him 10.5 for his career to go along with 81 career total tackles.

Now a senior, the Cleveland native will undoubtedly see more playing time than he ever has before in college.

"The opportunity is there. I just have to go in and do what I've been doing in practice," Witten said.

Witten also will have an opportunity to play close to home soon. The Huskies open the season next Saturday in Athens, Ohio, against Ohio University. It's only a 2 1/2-hour drive from Cleveland for his family and friends.

"It's better than being 10 hours away," Witten said.

As excited as Witten was when his brother was taken by the Bills in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, he is perhaps more excited by the fact that both Brown and Williams have good chances to prosper in the NFL as well.

"My brother's a little bit older, so I never got to play with him. It's cool to see people you practiced with every day, went to meetings with every day, playing on Sundays. It's kind of creepy watching it but it's good to see," he said.

"I have belief that I can do it, but I have a lot of things to work on," Witten continued, "a lot of fundamentals and techniques."

Edsall believes Witten has all the physical tools needed to succeed at the collegiate level -- and at a higher one. The coach just wants Witten to be mentally committed to the tasks at hand.

"Lindsey will be as good as Lindsey allows himself to be," Edsall said.